Samsel Architects

Handmade House

Duncan McPherson — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:07:33 +0000

Handmade House – The Ramble

KEY GREEN BUILDING FEATURES

Energy Star & HealthyBuilt Homes Silver
39% above energy code
$743 energy cost savings per year
Geothermal heating and cooling
Rainwater cisterns
Permeable paving

The Handmade House at The Ramble is a showcase for local artists and craftpeople in the region. The structure incorporates Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) into the walls and roof to maximize insulation values and minimize air infiltration.

Town Mountain

Duncan McPherson — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:05:42 +0000

Town Mountain Residence

KEY GREEN BUILDING FEATURES

Energy Star & HealthyBuilt Homes certified
25% above energy code
$800 energy cost savings per year
7,600 pounds of CO2 reduced per year
Solar hot water panels
FSC certified cedar shingles
3,500 gallon rainwater cistern
Low toxic finishes

This energy efficient home in Asheville focuses on an airtight envelope and high efficiency heating and cooling systems. A high efficiency furnace combined with an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) provide controlled fresh air while minimizing energy costs. Solar hot water panels provide over 80% of the domestic hot water needs and Energy Star appliances and low voltage and fluorescent lighting help minimize energy use as well.

Sustainable materials include FSC certified cedar shingles and ipe decking. Recycled content steel roofing is used on the exterior while local walnut is used for several furniture pieces crafted by local artists. Low toxic finishes and materials are used throughout the home to provide a healthy indoor environment.

EcoDorm at WWC

Duncan McPherson — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:01:35 +0000

EcoDorm at Warren Wilson College

KEY GREEN BUILDING FEATURES

LEED Platinum rating
64% above energy code
$8,765 energy cost savings per year
41,000 pounds of CO2 reduced per year
Passive solar, solar hot water and solar electric
Composting toilets & waterless urinals
10,000 gallon rainwater cistern
Local trim, siding and cabinetry
Salvaged beams, columns and trim
Low toxic finishes

The LEED Platinum EcoDorm serves as a 38 student dormitory and green building demonstration facility for Warren Wilson College and the community at large. Monitoring sensors and web based displays of the building’s energy and environmental systems allow the students to be aware of the direct connection between their daily living habits and the environmental consequences that result in the building’s performance.

Green building features include: passive solar design, solar hot water, photovoltaic panels, water conservation and separate grey water plumbing lines. Local, salvaged and recycled content materials along with low/no toxic finishes and products comprise the interior and exterior finish materials. An edible garden and native landscape surrounds the building along with cloth lines, composting bins and covered bike racks.

The EcoDorm incorporates radiant floor heating, passive cooling and controlled fresh air with a heat exchange to provide efficient and healthy indoor air quality. The walls and roofs are structural insulated panels (SIPs) which maximize insulation values and help create an airtight envelope.

Kenilworth

Margaret — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:46:50 +0000

Kenilworth Renovation

Asheville, NC

Town Mountain

Margaret — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:38:06 +0000

Town Mountain Residence

Asheville, NC

Tucked into a hillside, this contemporary shingle style house looks to blend in with it’s surroundings and take advantage of spectacular mountain views. Outdoor terraces and porches connect and expand the living areas to the landscape, while thoughtful placement of windows provide a visual connection to the outdoors. The home’s green building features include solar hot water panels, rainwater cisterns, high efficiency insulation and FSC certified cedar shingles and interior doors. The home is Energy Star and NC HealthyBuilt Homes certified.

Brookside

Danielle — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:36:20 +0000

The Brookside Renovation

The Ramble

Danielle — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:22:11 +0000

The Ramble Residence

Biltmore Forest, NC

Cedarcliff

Nathan Bryant — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:25:42 +0000

Cedarcliff Renovation

Biltmore Forest, NC

North Mountain

Duncan McPherson — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:03:16 +0000

North Mountain – Geothermal Home

KEY GREEN BUILDING FEATURES

46% above energy code
$2,897 energy cost savings per year
45,000 pounds of CO2 reduced per year
Geothermal heating and cooling
Salvaged wood flooring
Air tight envelope/blower door test
Local artists and craftspeople throughout
Energy Star appliances
Low toxic finishes

Celo Residence

Duncan McPherson — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:37:02 +0000

Celo Residence – Smaller and Greener Home Design

KEY GREEN BUILDING FEATURES

25% Above Energy Code
$341 energy savings per year
Air-tight building envelope/blower door test
3,750 gallon rain water cisterns
High efficiency HVAC system
Passive ventilation
Certified sustainable wood siding
Certified sustainable wood doors
Recycled content concrete counter tops
Plumbed for future grey water system
Dual flush toilets
Low toxic finishes